Have you noticed it, too? This year it’s palpable. It’s everywhere- in media, on signs, and decorations-all over the area. The 500 “buzz”, which has been muted or totally missing for the past few years, is finally back.

Four years ago I wrote a column wondering where the noise around the Indianapolis 500 had gone in the metro area. Race anticipation was muted. The 500 got only slightly more attention than a concert at deer Creek or Clowes Hall. 2025 is very different.

In 2025 talk of the 500 is ubiquitous. Television and radio stations mention the race and IMS daily, and with longer segments than I have seen the past few years. I have noticed more signage in businesses and more decorations on private homes this year as well. A median on East 86th Street between College Avenue and Meridian Street has a population of a dozen checkered flags.

Even before the Team Penske debacle of qualifying weekend, I sensed more national attention concerning the race. There is no bad publicity is a phrase that comes to mind.

I have noticed an uptick of enthusiasm at IMS, too. Over qualifying weekend, and I am including Fast Friday as part of qualifying weekend, attendance was noticeably higher, but that is just part of the upturn. I noticed that fans wore more driver, team, and IndyCar gear than I have seen in a while. I did not notice any NASCAR or F1 shirts worn by anyone,

Reserved seats have sold out a week before the race. It is the first grandstand sellout since 2016. In 2024, IMNS was on track to sell out the stands, but an unfavorable race day forecast slowed sales.

What I am seeing this May reminds of Mays in the 60s, 70,s and 80s when the race was front and center from May1 until the day after the race. While the vibe still isn’t at that level, the 2025 feeling is as close to those days as it has been in quite a long time.

I remember on Carb Day in 2008 a local afternoon radio sports talk show did not mention the race once during their three hour time slot. We have come a a long way since then.

I hope this year is a baseline for a return to the time when the 500 is the biggest topic in Indianapolis for the month of May.